DRAB DRAW DISAPPOINTS BIG CROWD

Gillingham 0, Exeter City 0 

THE Priestfield Stadium crowd were "treated" to 90 minutes of negative soccer at its dullest on Saturday. More than 8,000 spectators were left unimpressed by Gillingham's performances against Bradford and Bradford City. The gate dropped to less than 6,000 for the visit of Third Division Bristol City in the Football League Cup, when the Gills played magnificently to win a memorable 4-2 game. Back flocked the fans 8,381 of them-to the Stadium on Saturday. And what did they see-a game even worse than Gillingham's other goalless draw against Bradford City. Blame both teams for this drab, lifeless affair,  but more especially so Exeter, who were well content to defend for their share of the points. And so successfully did they pack their defence that Gillingham's P-Plan got bogged down in the mass of scarlet shirts. Only time when City didn't nave the measure of the home attack was at the start of the match. The Gills should have had the match sewn up then. But they paid the penalty for missed chances, and their play deteriorated. Gillingham began where they left off against Bristol City. In the second minute Gibbs headed over the bar from Hunt's cross. And after seven minutes a great through ball from Pulley left Gibbs with a clear path to goal. But with only the goalkeeper to beat he hit the ball past the post. Farrall smashed a left-foot drive just wide. Then the Gills skipper presented String fellow with a great ball. but the inside-right's pass went just short of Waldock

No precision
After this any rhythm and precision went out of Gilling ham's game, Players became edgy, and passes began to go astray. The second half opened brightly, but soon fell back into its former mould. The Gills kept Exeter pinned in their own half for most of the time but rarely looked like scoring.

Line Up 

Gillingham: Simpson; Hudson, Hunt: Arnott. Burgess. Farrall; Ridley, Stringfellow. Waldock, Gibbs, Pulley,

Exeter: Barnett; Smyth, MacDonald; Mitchell, Harvey. Anderson; Cochrane. Henderson. Curtis, Grace. Rees

Match Report 2
EXETER GOALLESS AGAIN: DEFENCE EARNS A POINT.

GILLINGHAM O EXETER CITY 0: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 7TH. The City's defence earned them a point in a rather scrappy match

on the Gillingham ground this afternoon. Each side came on to the field with a plan which had brought them victories in mid-week in the League Cup competition. Exeter were relying on their new formation, six strong in attack and seven strong in defence. Gillingham had eight men in defence and only three forwards, Ridley and Pulley dropping back. And at right back in the Gillingham side was Geoff Hudson, the old City defender, who has joined the "Hoppers" after a season with Crewe.

Gillingham:- Simpson; Hudson and Hunt; Arnott, Burgess, and Farrall; Ridley, Stringfellow, Waldock, Gibbs, and Pulley.

Exeter City:- Barnett; Smyth and MacDonald; Mitchell, Harvey, and Anderson; Cochrane, Henderson, Curtis, Grace, and Rees.

Referee: Mr J.Lowry of Glamorgan.

The most satisfactory thing about this game from the City's angle was the point they earned, for it was a dour match all the way through, with plenty of hard work and effort but little in the way of prolonged skill from either team. The twin defensive idea really saw to that and it just resolved into a battle between them. It looks as if both these teams will be hard to beat this season.

EXETER CITY RESERVES 4 WEYMOUTH 4
AT EXETER.
Western League

Weymouth piled on the pressure and by half-time were 4 goals to 1 in front. But a brilliant fight back in the second half by Exeter made the game worth watching.

City Reserves:- Sidey; Quarrington, Parsons; Northcott, Edmunds, Spiers; Stuckey, Riding, Redwood, Dodds, and Ley.

Weymouth:- Clark; Appleby, Gulliver; Cutting, Newcombe, Hall; Tizard, Cribb, Foxley, Mulcairn, and Pattie.

Scorers
Exeter City:- Riding, Redwood, Ley 2